Blow Out the Candles and Make Your Wishes Known

July 19, 2017

Foundation News, Giving Better, Making a Difference

Just last month Mom surprised me by completing her Last Will and Testament and numerous other estate planning documents.

The first woman I fell in love with turned 75 this year. Yes, my Mom celebrated her 75th birthday with a surprise luncheon from her six kids. As I watched Mom blow out the candles on her cake, I wondered what she was wishing.

I will never know, but a few months later mom blessed her six kids with a great gift – sharing not her birthday wishes, but her final wishes. .

Just last month Mom surprised me by completing her Last Will and Testament and numerous other estate planning documents.The 98 pages of documents, however, paled in comparison to the simple document she wrote to her kids explaining her final wishes. Does she want to be cremated? Open casket? Public viewing? Buried where? What type of service? Which church? Which priest? Which music? And the list goes on. All of the questions that six kids might struggle with after her death. For example, I never knew Mom hates organ music. Now, when the day comes, we can simply enjoy celebrating mom’s life and legacy as all the details have been covered. So, thanks Mom for giving us the gift of your wishes!

Central Carolina Community Foundation offers resources to help you prepare your final wishes as well. Each year, we host Will University, a free,interactive workshop that addresses the importance of having a will. Instructed by an estate planning attorney and a financial advisor, the event offers helpful advice no matter where participants are in preparing their estate plans. Look for new sessions in the spring of 2018. The Foundation’s website also offers weekly emails with helpful articles and a free wills guide at www.cccfgift.org. And, of course, our staff is always available to talk to you about these resources if needed.